Cill Chainnigh
Kilkenny
Co. Kilkenny · 52.65° N · 7.24° W
Kilkenny & Waterford · Co. Kilkenny
Photoshoots in Kilkenny
A photoshoot in Kilkenny is a session with a professional photographer in Ireland’s medieval city, around Kilkenny Castle, its parkland and the lanes of the Medieval Mile, arranged through Eriora, from €320 for a couple.
Pricing
From €190
- Region
- Kilkenny & Waterford
- Photo spots
- 6
Starting price. The exact price depends on photographer, place, date, time and add-ons, and is stated in your proposal before you book.
Quick answers
- How much does it cost?
- Photoshoot in Kilkenny starts from €190. The final price depends on the place, duration, date, time of day, travel and any add-ons such as video, and is stated in your proposal before you book.
- When is the best time?
- Mornings are best for the castle garden front and the Medieval Mile without crowds.
- Which experiences are available here?
- Couple Photoshoot, Proposal Photography, Engagement Photography, Family Photoshoot, Wedding Photography, and Maternity Photography
- Getting there
- Trains from Dublin Heuston reach Kilkenny in about an hour and a half, and the drive from Dublin is similar.
- Where does it take place?
- Popular places include Kilkenny Castle and rose garden; Castle parkland; The Medieval Mile and the slips; St Canice’s Cathedral and round tower. Your photographer suggests the best spot for your date, the light and the crowds.
- How does booking work?
- Send a free request with your place, date and plans. Eriora checks which photographers are available and replies with a proposal stating the photographer, the package and the exact price. Nothing is booked until you accept.
Kilkenny is a small city with a big medieval past. Kilkenny Castle, first built by the Normans and home to the Butler family for centuries, stands above the River Nore with formal gardens and wide parkland behind it. From the castle, the Medieval Mile runs through narrow streets and slips to St Canice’s Cathedral and its round tower at the other end of town.
Everything is within a 15-minute walk, which makes it easy to cover a castle, riverside paths and old stone lanes in one session. Kilkenny suits couple photoshoots, engagement photos, proposals and family sessions, and it is a popular stop between Dublin and Waterford or Cork.
Kilkenny is city-priced: a couple session starts at €320, a family session at €350 and a proposal at €490. See pricing for details.
Photo spots — Kilkenny
- 01
Kilkenny Castle and rose garden
The castle’s round towers and grey stone walls overlook a rose garden laid out in a formal pattern and the river below. It is the most recognisable picture in the city.
- Best time
- Morning for soft light on the garden front; June and July for roses.
- Access
- At the top of The Parade in the city centre; the grounds are open to the public free of charge.
- 02
Castle parkland
About 50 acres of lawns, woodland paths, a pond and a playground behind the castle. It gives open, green space for walking shots and is ideal for families.
- Best time
- Golden hour in the evening, when light comes through the trees.
- Access
- Through the castle courtyard or the park gates on the Dublin road side.
- 03
The Medieval Mile and the slips
The historic route from the castle to St Canice’s Cathedral, along High Street and Parliament Street, with narrow stepped lanes called slips, such as the Butter Slip, leading off it. Stone, arches and shop fronts give a textured, storybook feel.
- Best time
- Early morning or Sunday morning, before shops open.
- Access
- On foot from the castle; the whole route is about one kilometre.
- 04
St Canice’s Cathedral and round tower
A 13th-century cathedral with a round tower beside it that is even older and one of the few in Ireland visitors can climb. The grounds and the steps leading up to them make a strong, historic frame.
- Best time
- Late afternoon; outside service times.
- Access
- At the northern end of the Medieval Mile, up St Canice’s Steps; the tower climb is ticketed and has steep ladders.
- 05
The River Nore walk
Paths along the Nore below the castle, with stone bridges, old mills and views back up to the castle walls. Quiet and green, a few minutes from the busy streets.
- Best time
- Evening light, and misty mornings in autumn.
- Access
- Steps lead down from John’s Bridge and the castle area to the riverside.
- 06
Kilkenny Design Centre courtyard
The former castle stables across the road from the castle, with an arched stone courtyard and a clock. Sheltered and characterful, it is useful on a showery day.
- Best time
- Morning, when the courtyard is quiet.
- Access
- Opposite the castle gates on The Parade.
Best time
Seasons
Late spring and summer are ideal: the rose garden blooms in early summer and evenings are long. Autumn brings colour to the parkland and along the river. Kilkenny is a popular weekend destination, so weekdays are calmer. In winter the castle and lanes look atmospheric with lights, but daylight is short.
Time of day
Mornings are best for the castle garden front and the Medieval Mile without crowds. Evening light suits the parkland and river. The narrow slips are good in soft overcast light at any time.
Weather
Kilkenny is inland and a little drier and sunnier than the west coast, but showers can come at any time. Arches on the Medieval Mile, the Design Centre courtyard and the castle courtyard offer cover. Keep a flexible slot.
Getting there
Trains from Dublin Heuston reach Kilkenny in about an hour and a half, and the drive from Dublin is similar. The station is a 10-minute walk from the centre, and all the main spots are on foot. Waterford is about 45 minutes away by road.
Good to know
The castle grounds and parkland are free and open daily; the castle interior is a ticketed attraction run by the Office of Public Works, which asks commercial productions to apply for permission. Private, handheld sessions are how we plan shoots here. St Canice’s is a working cathedral. Plan without a drone in the city centre.
- Start at the castle in the morning, then walk the Medieval Mile.
- Wear flat shoes for the steep, uneven slips and St Canice’s Steps.
- Weekdays are much quieter than weekends in Kilkenny.
- A 60-minute session covers the castle, the parkland and one lane; allow 90 minutes for the cathedral too.
- Classic tones and soft textures suit the grey stone.
Experiences in Kilkenny
From €320
Couple Photoshoot
An hour of easy, guided portraits of the two of you, in a Dublin square, on a Galway quay or above the Atlantic.
1 hourExplore
From €490
Proposal Photography
A photographer who hides, catches the moment you ask, and then takes relaxed portraits of the two of you. Planned with you in advance.
1 hourExplore
From €320
Engagement Photography
Relaxed portraits of the two of you as an engaged couple, for save-the-dates, your wedding website and the walls at home.
1 hourExplore
From €350
Family Photoshoot
Photographs of the whole family, including you, on a beach, in a park or by a harbour. Planned around naps and snacks.
1 hourExplore
Photographer availability
We confirm availability for your date personally — send a request and we will check which reviewed photographers are free for this place and session.
Find a Photographer in KilkennyFrequently asked questions
How much does a photoshoot in Kilkenny cost?
A couple session in Kilkenny starts at €320, a family session at €350 and a proposal at €490. The final price depends on the photographer, date and duration and is stated in your proposal.
Can we have photos at Kilkenny Castle?
Yes, outdoors. The grounds, rose garden and parkland are public and free; the interior is a ticketed museum where sessions are not possible. Commercial productions should ask the Office of Public Works.
Is Kilkenny good for a proposal?
Yes. The rose garden early in the morning and the river walk below the castle are quiet and romantic. See how proposal photography works and our proposals in Ireland guide.
Can we do Kilkenny as a day trip from Dublin?
Yes. The train takes about 90 minutes, and a session in the late morning or afternoon fits easily into a day trip.
Is Kilkenny good for a family photoshoot?
Yes. The castle parkland has lawns, paths and a playground, and distances are short. See family photoshoots.
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